'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Hello and welcome the Premier League transfer roundup for the day! The transfer rumour express is here and it is your time now to jump onto this crazy train and have a look at what is happening here.
So, without further ado, let’s begin!
#5 Selling Ramsey is the right decision
With Aaron Ramsey’s contract set to expire by the end of the season, Arsenal don’t seem to be interested in giving him an extension. While this might have baffled many, according to former Arsenal midfielder Stewart Robson, the Gunners are making the right decision.
According to him, the North London outfit are right because the Welshman isn’t really a hard-working midfielder. The former Gunner believes that for a midfielder, both defensive and attacking aspect of the game should be balanced out.
With Ramsey, however, the attacking side is well nourished but he looks very lethargic while having to run back and defend.
“I would say Arsenal have made the right decision because the two players that show the good and the bad of Arsenal are Ramsey and Ozil,” Robson said.
“Ramsey seems to run forward much quicker than when he’s having to run back.
“He seems to be good at sprinting into the opposition’s box and you think: ‘That was great pace!’ But when he’s got to run back the other way, he rolls his head and looks as though he can’t run.”
Robson then added that there is no such thing differentiating an attacking midfielder and a defensive midfielder as a midfielder should be adept at handling both sides of the coin when the time comes.
“I don’t believe this thing that you’re an attacking midfield player or you’re a defensive midfield player. You have to do both sides of the game,” he said.
#4 Arnautovic claims
Marko Arnautovic was linked with a move to a top club for most of the summer. However, he ended up staying at West Ham, but that doesn’t mean that he won’t be leaving the club for a big move.
According to his brother and agent, Daniel, Arnautovic is a player of such a high calibre that he shouldn’t be fighting against relegation. While Daniel stated that he is comfortable at West Ham, Arnautovic is now ready for a move to a big club, citing interest from Chelsea and Everton for his brother.
“Marko feels extremely comfortable at West Ham,” he said. “You can see that every week but you also get the feeling this cannot be the end. He's ready for the next step.
"Someone like him should not be fighting against relegation but playing for the best seats and for the international places.
“There are a lot of Premier League clubs tracking him. Chelsea and Everton, for example, but not only them.”
#3 Kovacic speaks about Chelsea
Real Madrid’s on-loan midfielder Mateo Kovacic has spoken about something that he has found at Chelsea. The Croat wasn’t able to establish himself as a starter at the Bernabeu, which prompted him to move to London.
And now, the former Inter midfielder claims that he has found happiness at Chelsea. The midfielder has enjoyed playing time at London but refrained from speaking about whether he would make the move permanent, stating that his only desire now is to be happy by playing every other week.
“I wanted to be happy and at Chelsea I am,” he said.
“I just wanted to be happy and play matches, feel a responsibility within the team and I’ve found that at Chelsea. This is not the time to talk about anything other than playing and enjoying.
“I don’t want to think about what will happen and do want to be happy doing what I like, which is to play football every week.”
#2 North London
The Gunners have started their life under Unai Emery with brilliance, despite the fact that they lost their first three games under the Spaniard. However, they have been on an unbeaten streak ever since and would like to make themselves even stronger by using the January transfer window.
And it seems as though Arsenal might have a great chance to strengthen their backline as Manchester United, meanwhile, have overlooked Eric Bailly of late and the defender is now frustrated with his lack of opportunities. According to Daily Record, both Tottenham and Arsenal, have enquired about a possible acquisition of Bailly from the Red Devils.
Finally, according to Otempo, Arsenal are looking at the possibility of signing Atletico Mineiro's 19-year-old full-back Emerson. The right-back is among the most talented players coming up from Brazil and with the right guidance, could become a very good talent to have at disposal.
Chelsea are also linked to the Brazilian youngster.
#1 Stories of the day
For the second day in a row, both Liverpool and Barcelona feature in the ultimate slider of this space. It is only natural because, after all, Ousmane Dembele’s position at Barcelona just keeps getting precarious.
According to Don Balon, Barcelona are eying a move for Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah as a successor to the throne of the aging Luis Suarez. In this case, Dembele is their ace in the hole as the report adds that the Reds would be willing to negotiate if Dembele is involved in the deal.
In another report from the same outlet, Barcelona have apparently put a price tag on the head of Ousmane Dembele. The Catalans have put a €100 million label on him but the interest clubs, Arsenal and Liverpool, aren’t willing to put in that much money for the 21-year-old.
At max, they are willing to put €80 million for him.
